Manchester and Blackpool

The weekend just passed, a few of us travelled up North to Manchester and then along to Blackpool. The reasoning behind this? A drunken ticket booking for Fall Out Boy.

Before traveling... of course you have to buy lot's of sweets for the car (it's a three hour drive, it's allowed) even though hardly any of it was eaten! We eventually reached our destination of the Travelodge which is right next to the Manchester Arena (handy). Checking in, and getting ready - we walked to the Arndale shopping centre for food. Having to be quick before the concert, we decided on Nandos... looking to the left - there stood Professor Green who were supporting Fall Out Boy that night... not that I recognised him straight away, but the others did.

We arrived at Manchester arena for half six and the acts began at half seven(ish) - Matt and Kim, Professor Green and another band that I can't remember the name of (good aren't I) supported. Eating my chocolate fondue with strawberries and marshmallows - Fall Out Boy came on and rocked the stage for an hour and a half. It's the same with every concert - your throat feels like it has razors in it after the show ends... and you're half deaf at the same time. Some people were getting into it, with the head bouncing and dance moves... let's not forget the mosh pits that were happening in the standing section! I wouldn't survive in that area. Finishing at eleven, we headed back to the hotel and had a few drinks in the bar along with cheesy pizza and garlic bread.

The next morning, we had a quick shop around Manchester for the boys - Jack Wills and Hollister and a bagel nash for breakfast (they are bagel heaven) along with some perfume hunting for us girls. Shoving the bags into the boot, we made our way up to Blackpool.

When we reached the promenade it was full of illumination traffic... and we still hadn't booked an overnight hotel. Parking up for an hour and a half, we walked along the promenade to South Pier and had a stroll across the beach (writing our names in the sand, stereotypical but cute) Now, as we hadn't booked a hotel initially... we had come to the time where we had to book one unless we wanted to sleep in the car! Not ideal. So, we booked a hotel that looked like a castle - being four star, we thought it would be up to standard... it really wasn't.

Checking in and heading to our room, you could tell that the place needed a bit of a pick me up - floorboards squeaking and paint coming off the walls. Our room was right next to the staircase so we could hear anyone that came up or down them! The room was tired, needed a paint, a new carpet, new furniture... a new everything! So it was a good job we would only be in the room for sleeping. Our 'sea view' consisted of scaffolding in front of it too! I guess four star hotels are different by the coast... maybe. Everyone else seemed to like it though.

The other problem with this last minute hotel, was that it was two miles from Blackpool's centre. There was a long walk ahead, but we made it eventually and booked tickets to see the Blackpool tower circus... which was amazing. There were a few times that I had a near heart attack from people almost falling off tight ropes whilst skipping or up in the air on a circular contraption almost falling 30ft to the floor. All in all though, amazing and we all enjoyed the experience.

As soon as we exited the tower there were people dressed in white outfits and playing the drums - being illuminated by them and held a drum show on the promenade. Their faces were pretty scary though when they came up to you! Heading along the promenade, we bought some fish and chips and started our long walk back to the hotel - but this time, the illuminations were alight so it was pretty. We even were able to walk through the 'walk through' illuminations and got some pictures posing with certain characters.

The Sunday - we checked out early (thank god) and parked along the promenade, had a McDonalds breakfast and headed off into the centre for the day. We spent some two p's in Coral Island (a huge slot machine place) spent some pennies on South pier on a darts game and then ate a steak burger on the beach.

I'm glad that we had such nice weather as it's horrible when it rains the whole time. Growing up in this place... it was nice to return and have a touristy day and a half in a place I loved with the people I love.